Women, in general, seem to always be focused on their weight. It's a constant battle that we fight with ourselves. We want to be STRONG, HEALTHY, and ENERGETIC! So let's do this together. Let's be SHE-Ra women and better ourselves so we can be ALL of those things.

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Friday, April 27, 2012

I read another interesting KSL article the other day that I wanted to share with you all. I hope you're doing okay. I had two people tell me that I'm looking great today. It made me feel good. Anyway, article. You can follow that top link or read the copied text below.

Living in a fast-paced society, it can be difficult to eat fresh, healthy foods. “Pre-packaged” and “drive-thru” seem to be the key words of the day. But not only are foods made from scratch or homegrown healthier, they're often less expensive. Here are a few tips for eating fresh and for less.

1. Stay on the “outside” of the grocery store box

Grocery stores are arranged in an interesting fashion: By walking around the perimeter of the store, shoppers will encounter foods in their freshest state. This includes not only items in the produce section, but artisan breads still piping hot and deli items sliced up fresh, not to mention meat before it’s been wrapped in those plastic and Styrofoam cages.

Surprisingly, prices tend to be lower on these items as well. A half-pound of cheddar sliced up at the deli will often run a dollar a pound less than the pre-packaged kind. Even bringing home the bacon, literally, can be a better deal if the butcher slices it up for customers.

Because fresh items are so perishable, they’re constantly being discounted and placed in “must sell” bins. For someone planning on eating it tonight, they can save on it today.

2. Think local

Farmers markets are wonderful places to come across all kinds of fresh produce and homemade goods. Shoppers can find freshly-picked produce, and often, they'll have a bounty of homemade jams, breads and even salsas to choose from.

Not only will shoppers be supporting local farmers, but prices will usually be more reasonable because they don’t involve transportation and other third-party fees.

Making a salad with strawberries in January? Plan on paying close to $5 for those berries, if you find them.

Knowing what kinds of produce are in season may help you better plan your menu and navigate the grocery store. Prices for produce are lower for those items farmers and grocery stores have a bounty of. It's also a more sustainable way of eating.

Americans throw away up to a quarter of all of the food they purchase, leading to a staggering amount of wasted money and depleted resources.

There’s a classic joke that around harvest time, look out for that pile of zucchini anonymously left on your front porch. In reality, there are probably plenty of people willing to take any freebies that come out of a neighbor’s garden. It’s often just a matter of getting the right produce to the right person. It might be prudent to make a neighborhood list at the beginning of the season, not just to get first dibs on some fresh tomatoes, but also to reconsider what could be planted in your own garden.

On the website Shareable.net, expert bloggers give some ideas for sharing a vegetable garden.NeighborhoodFruit .com is designed to help fruit tree owners share their bounty with others instead of allowing their crops to go to waste. Many such organizations exist, but if one isn’t available in your particular area, consider starting it yourself.

5. Use it or lose it

The biggest obstacle to eating fresh is using up items before they go bad. According to Jonathan Bloom, author of “American Wasteland,” Americans throw away up to a quarter of all of the food they purchase, leading to a staggering amount of wasted money and depleted resources.

There are many strategies to prevent this, the first of which is to carefully plan out meals so that fresh food isn’t purchased before it can be reasonably used. Also, be cautious about the amount of food purchased to begin with. Buying items that are on sale or in bulk won’t pay off if they’re not eaten.

Freezing or storing items properly are the next step to preventing waste. The National Center for Home Food Preservation lists some important information on how to preserve food safely. Many items, especially produce, simply need to be removed from the plastic bags or containers they come in. Meats, cheeses, even breads, can also be frozen and easily thawed for later use.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

I made the best and easiest meal ever the other night. I did get the recipe from Pinterest. All I did was first thing in the morning drop chicken breasts (I used 7 for my family) in the crock pot. Pour in 1 bottle of salsa ( I used home canned) 1 can of corn (drained), 1 can of black beans (rinsed and drained), and one brick of cream cheese. Let this all cook (I didn't even stir it) on low for 7 to 8 hours. Use two forks to shred the chicken and serve it on tortilla shells or chips or Alan ate it for left overs all by itself and loved it. I tried to eat it on a whole wheat wrap and that did not work, the wrap was too weak to hold all the deliciousness. My entire family ate it and asked for more. I hope that you try it and enjoy. I don't know what the calorie count or anything is but it has got to be pretty good for us.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

So, I'm a little frustrated with myself lately. I kind of feel like I've been stuck around this -10 lbs for forever. In fact I can right out say, I've been hovering around it for 6 weeks. I hit it and then have gone up and down. I think part of it could be the fact that I've started actually exercising and maybe it's muscle growth....? The other part, now, is that I am feeling discouraged and am probably sabotaging myself.

I've been on this journey for 15 weeks and I know I should be farther down the path than I am. I keep thinking of 'excuses' for why this is going on, but really I don't want to make them. Maybe it's this season of Biggest Loser getting to me. I don't need excuses. I know that I can do this. I guess I just need to remind myself why I am doing this.

Why do I want to lose weight?

I want my body to feel better. I'm sick of aches and pains that shouldn't be a problem with my 26 year old body.

I want to look good. I'm tired of trying on 5 different outfits because I feel fat in each of them.

I want to be happy. I know that exercising and eating right will actually improve my moods.

I don't want to be dependent on food to make me feel better. Food is fuel, not therapy.

I guess I just need to recommit myself to this process. I know it isn't going to be easy. I'm going to have to do it a pound at a time.

Anyway, sorry for sharing my personal pep talk. I just wanted to put it out there. I hope you are all doing well and feeling good about your journey.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Hi, ladies. My name is Lori and I am so excited for this new journey. I have a lot of hard work ahead of me but this time I am ready to make the changes that I need. I have struggled all my life with my weight. When I was 17 my mom died and after that I turned to food to comfort myself. I have loss weight and gained it back a couple of times in the last 15 years. After I had my last baby I never lost my pregnancy weight plus I gained about 30 pounds. That has been 5 years now! So here I am extremely overweight and ready to change! I started about 8 weeks ago walking and tracking everything I eat. I have lost about 15 pounds. I really am excited to have this support group. My family is a huge support to me but it always helps to have lots of people cheering you on! I know each one of us can do this and I am ready to go!

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Hi Everybody, my name is Kami Reynolds. I was added by Kelli Shimek last week because of my life changing post on FB.

This was my post: OK my FB friends, I am literally nauseated and scared to death to do this, but am getting desperate. I need to loose the weight of one whole person and am in desperate need of help. I am tired of of it holding me back from being who I really am, and from doing the things I really want to do. I don't have a lot of money and can't do it on my own. Where do I start? What can I do?

I seriously cried for 2 hours because it was so emotional for me, but never imagined the amazing response I would get. So many people believed in me and were rooting for me and were excited to see a change in me. I was getting messages from people I didn't even know telling me their stories, inviting me to support groups, trying to sell me pills etc.

I have been obese for as long as I can remember. I was teased mercilessly all through school and have always despised what I saw in the mirror. Food is my comfort. I eat when I'm sad, bored, happy, for get togethers, just because it's time, or just because I didn't care.

I tried everything under the sun but would always loose drive a couple weeks into it. I never had the will power to keep it going.

This time just feels different. I am doing this more for me this time, because I am sincerely ready for this change in my life, to look better, feel better, be better!

I started this change almost 2 weeks ago. I have lost 10 pounds by merely tracking my calories, drinking more water and exercising more. I feel a change happening a little bit at a time as I continue down this path. I have an amazing husband who is right by my side and 4 fantasatic kids that I love with all my heart! With friends and family supporting me, and so many people cheering me on wanting me to succeed, I will not fail!

Friday, April 6, 2012

I would love to invite everyone to try any one of these Zumba classes. They are perfect for everyone and the instructor is Awesome!! There is a Zumba Gold class for the Active older people and anyone who wants to do Zumba but might have a physical limitaion. There is ZumbAtomic for kids (ages 4-8 are little stars and ages 8-12 are big stars)

Thursday, April 5, 2012

I made some amazing soup tonight. The best part about it.... I knew that everything was free of 'man made' additives and stuff. It was all extremely close to the source. Anyway, go ahead and check it out!